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Gig Review

British Sea Power / Race Horses
Birmingham, HMV Institute

Article written by Paul D - Feb 10, 2011

British Sea Power

Two weeks ago I stood drinking in the Kerry Man pub (next to the Birmingham HMV Institute) with a band of brothers, lapping up final beers prior to joining the crowd ahead of an eagerly awaited night of entertainment provided by those they love and admire. That was the night of Birmingham City’s triumphant League Cup Semi Final win at the expense of West Ham. Tonight, I’m here again, but this time it’s to see ‘Britain’s best band’ British Sea Power as they are playing next door…

The night started early as this was a dreaded ‘club night’ and therefore the crowd are all largely sober, and struggling to get refreshments from the understaffed Institute bar. Support act Race Horses hit the stage at 7.45 to play an electric and well received half hour set that has me, and others, enthusing about their Talking Heads and A Certain Ratio funk induced indie-pop. I’d already been told they’d impressed the BSP crowd, and they didn’t disappoint.

After the customary half hour change over, and more vain attempts to refill plastic glasses, the headliners appear, now a permanent 6 piece since keyboard and horn player Phil Sumner and violinist Abe Fry joined in 2007/8.

Calling mainly on material from the recently released Valhalla Dancehall, BSP did what they do best; they put on a show of passion and high energy mixed with the delivery of 90 minutes of superbly crafted pop songs. Interspersed throughout the night the new album tracks played were Who's In Control, We Are Sound, Luna, Once More Now, Mongk II, Thin Black Sail, first single Living Is So Easy and Observe The Skies. All sounding MUCH better live than they have done so far digitally. Many of the audience were slightly bemused by the high propensity of so-called new material, and any dancing or singing was saved for the back catalogue of oldies (can we call something over 2 years old an oldie?) performed with the usual aplomb. They included Something Wicked, Apologies to Insect Life, Remember Me, Lights Out (for Darker Skies), Like a Honeycomb and Oh Larsen B. kw-h, a little played track from the 2009 ep Zeus also gained an airing.

As we approached the expected climax of the show, the band played some of their anthems in Waving Flags, The Great Skua (still able to reduce grown men to tears), early single Carrion and the 2008 album Do You like Rock Music and subsequent tour opener All in it. Although again, the band delivered as only they know how, it became clear that something was missing, something that can only make a gig truly memorable… audience participation.

As they reappeared for the encore of Spirit of St Louis and No Lucifer lead singer Yan quietly, and politely said 'Birmingham audiences are known for being quiet but I think you're alright' …most in the crowd realised he was actually pointing out that ‘alright’ was as good as it was going to get.

The evening ended with much nodding amongst the dispersing crowd, and hopefully many folk off to further listen to or even buy the new album.

I was left wondering why Birmingham beat West Ham 2 weeks ago, and yet tonight was so flat…. Then i remember that immediately after the semi final Blues manager Alex McLeish told Sky that it was the crowd who’d made the difference, and got their team over the line… Hmmm...

Links:
http://www.britishseapower.co.uk